What I Learned From Dad

Wednesday

Jun 12, 2013 at 5:11 PM

As Father's Day rapidly approaches my mind goes back to all the lessons I have learned from my Dad.

Erin Pennington

As Father's Day rapidly approaches my mind goes back to all the lessons I have learned from my Dad. He has been the most influential person in my life. While we never had one of those "Kodak moment" relationships, where we went and did a lot of things alone, we did for sure have a tie that binds. One of the most influential lessons he taught me was to never miss a chance to help someone. Dad comes from a poor family. He told stories time and time again about how even when they had very little to eat themselves, his Mother would still share what they had available with hobos that wandered up off the railroad. He was always impressed with her generosity and it was a lesson that stayed with him. The most generous act I ever saw my dad commit happened when I was about 10. He had picked up a hitchhiker on a rainy afternoon while my family was on its way to a movie matinee. I was a little frightened at having this wet stranger move in the car next to me. My Dad made small talk with him and let him out a couple exits down. When he got out of the car I saw Dad give him the jacket he was wearing and some money. I was completely got by his actions. When he got back in the car I asked him why he helped the man and why on earth did he give his jacket to him. He said, "Sis I have more jackets at home, he doesn't even have one one a day like today." My Dad was a hero at that moment. What he taught me was that actions speak louder than words. You tell a child something, but being a living lesson is even better. He didn't have to tell us not to drink, or smoke, or we learned by his example. The next largest lesson he ever taught was to work hard and try to do your best. He knew what my weaknesses were, but he always expected me to try and do my best work no matter what. If my brothers and I were ever in trouble he was all about assigning us work to do rather than hitting us. He taught us that hard work in the end matters. My Dad has been my "go to guy" all my life. If I had a problem, or dilemma, or just needed to talk he was always there to listen to me. He didn't always give advice, but I always wanted it, because what he thought mattered to me most. Sometimes all he had to say was "It's all going to be all right" and coming from him, that was good enough for me. I am 43 years old and my Dad will soon be 81, having him for a Father has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. He is a fine man with a beautiful heart and soul and a funny sense of humor. One of the greatest gifts God has ever given me was having my Dad as a Father.

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